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Head of Early Development, Caspian Therapeutics

United States

Are you ready to join a team committed to making a meaningful impact on cancer treatment through the discovery and development of precision medicines? At Kura Oncology, you have an opportunity to be a part of something bigger, with a lasting impact that you can be proud of.

At Kura Oncology, we are working to change the paradigm and improve the science of cancer treatment. As an organization, we strive to cultivate a diverse and talented professional culture driven to develop precision medicine therapeutics.

As we continue to build a leading biotech organization with a strong culture, a patient-focused mindset and a team focused on relentless execution, we are looking for innovative, passionate professionals to join us and make our vision a reality.

To succeed at Kura, you will need to have a demonstrated ability for excellence in drug discovery and development and a roll-up your sleeves attitude. The ideal candidate will possess a values-driven work style where integrity and grit drive all behaviors, decisions, and actions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

We are seeking a visionary executive to spearhead the formation and growth of a high-impact startup company focused on the discovery and development of menin inhibitors for diabetes and cardiometabolic indications. This is a high-growth leadership opportunity for an experienced leader ready to build a lean, science-driven organization from the ground up and accelerate the development of Caspian’s lead program, which is initially focused on generating clinical, proof-of-concept data in Type 1 diabetes.

In addition to serving as a senior executive leader, the successful candidate will oversee early clinical development of the company’s lead program, currently in IND-enabling studies, providing scientific, operational, and organizational leadership to ensure the seamless transition from research into early clinical development.

This role represents a unique opportunity to combine entrepreneurial leadership with scientific and clinical development stewardship. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping both the company and its clinical pipeline; ultimately helping to deliver transformative therapies to patients with diabetes and cardiometabolic disease.

Strategic Leadership and Corporate Growth

  • Serve as the principal executive leader responsible for establishing and growing Caspian into a high-performing biotechnology company.
  • Work in close partnership with the CEO and leadership team at Kura Oncology to accelerate the transition of Caspian Therapeutics from an early-stage research organization to a clinically focused development company.
  • Lead creation, translation, and execution of strategic business plans, from conceptualization through early commercialization planning.
  • Be instrumental in developing both short- and long-term corporate strategy, including operational planning, resource allocation, and financial management.
  • Establish and maintain key external relationships with the Caspian Therapeutic board of directors, investors, partners, advisors, investigators, CROs, and other stakeholders while maintaining awareness of the competitive and regulatory landscape.

Early Clinical Development Leadership

  • Serve as the strategic leader for Early Clinical Development, providing guidance and oversight of integrated development plans as assets transition from discovery into clinical evaluation.
  • Lead the design and execution of translational and early clinical strategies to enable efficient first-in-human and proof-of-concept studies.
  • Ensure seamless transition of drug candidates from research to early clinical development through close collaboration with research, regulatory, CMC, and clinical operations functions.
  • Define clinical development pathways, target product profiles, and early development milestones aligned with corporate objectives.

Operational Accountability

  • As the organizational leader, be accountable for ensuring that activities within Early Clinical Development are executed within expected scope, budget, and timelines.
  • Establish key milestones for development programs and provide direct leadership and organizational influence to ensure milestones are achieved or exceeded.
  • Oversee clinical program planning, study design, vendor selection, and operational execution in partnership with internal and external teams.
  • Closely monitor program performance and collaborate with strategic partners such as Kinexum to ensure efficient program delivery.
  • Manage budgets and resources to support rapid, cost-effective advancement of the KO-7246 program and future pipeline assets.

Hands-On Organizational Leadership

  • Take on a broad range of duties across the organization, helping to build core capabilities and infrastructure as the company scales.
  • Drive cross-functional alignment between research, clinical, regulatory, and commercial planning teams.
  • Provide mentorship and leadership to build a high-performing, science-driven organization.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Advanced scientific background: PhD or MD strongly preferred.
  • Significant experience in early clinical development with a strong track record of advancing programs from discovery into the clinic.
  • Requires the ability to influence and lead at the executive level.
  • Proven ability to build, scale, and lead organizations in a biotechnology environment.
  • Demonstrated experience overseeing development plans, budgets, timelines, and cross-functional execution.
  • Strong ability to prioritize multiple demands and projects.
  • Has a broad background with an emphasis in clinical development, project leadership and deep understanding of clinical operations.
  • Spearhead strategic business planning and execution, driving measurable growth.
  • Possesses a hands-on approach and a willingness to engage in all aspects of project execution.

The base range for a Vice President is $325,000 - $380,000 per year. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location, and relevant education or training. Kura's compensation package also includes generous benefits, equity, and participation in an annual target bonus.

#LI-RM1

Kura’s Values that are used for candidate selection and performance assessments:

  • We work as one for patients
  • We are goal-focused and deliver with excellence
  • We are science-driven courageous innovators
  • We strive to bring out the best in each other and ourselves

The Kura Package

  • Career advancement/ development opportunities
  • Competitive comp package
  • Bonus
  • 401K + Employer contributions
  • Generous stock options
  • ESPP Plan
  • 20 days of PTO to start
  • 18 Holidays  (Including Summer & Winter Break)
  • Generous Benefits Package with a variety of plans available with a substantial employer match
  • Paid Paternity/Maternity Leave
  • In-Office Catered lunches
  • Home Office Setup
  • Lifestyle Spending Stipend
  • Commuter Stipend (Boston Office)
  • Regular employee social activities, including happy hours, monthly birthday celebrations, Kura Koffee Talks, and much more!

Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. The Company’s pipeline consists of small molecule drug candidates designed to target cancer signaling pathways. Ziftomenib, a once-daily, oral menin inhibitor, is the first and only investigational therapy to receive Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (“R/R”) NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (“AML”). In November 2024, Kura Oncology entered into a global strategic collaboration agreement with Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialize ziftomenib for AML and other hematologic malignancies. Enrollment in a Phase 2 registration-directed trial of ziftomenib in R/R NPM1-mutant AML has been completed, and in the second quarter of 2025, the companies announced the FDA’s acceptance of a New Drug Application for ziftomenib for the treatment of adult patients with R/R NPM1-mutant AML and assignment of a Prescription Drug User Fee Act target action date of November 30, 2025. Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin are also conducting a series of clinical trials to evaluate ziftomenib in combination with current standards of care in newly diagnosed and R/R NPM1-mutant and KMT2A-rearranged AML. KO-2806, a next-generation farnesyl transferase inhibitor, is being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial as a monotherapy and in combination with targeted therapies for patients with various solid tumors. Tipifarnib, a potent and selective farnesyl transferase inhibitor, is currently in a Phase 1/2 trial in combination with alpelisib for patients with PIK3CA-dependent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. For additional information, please visit Kura’s website at www.kuraoncology.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Kura Oncology is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. 

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